Pelvic Pain

What is pelvic pain?

Any perceived pain in the pelvic region (at the front from belly button to upper thighs, at the back from the sacrum (very lower back) to tailbone, saddle groin area including the genitals.

In fact, 80% of people experiencing chronic pelvic pain (for more than 6months) will have some contribution of their symptoms from pelvic floor muscles. When we experience pain, muscles surrounding the area are more likely to become tense.

Therefore, organs, muscles, nerves and tissues in the pelvic area can contribute to pelvic pain symptoms. Particularly those experiencing bladder pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), genital pain, skin conditions, inflammatory conditions, endometriosis, musculoskeletal conditions and many more.

What can be done?

Listening to your individual story and understanding your own contributing factors to pelvic pain, can help identify the best course of management for you. Pelvic Physiotherapy can help you consider many conservative options that are helpful like; good bladder and bowel habits, pelvic floor relaxation (downtraining), massage, exercise programs, mobility/stretching routines, yoga/tai chi, individual paced exercise programs, goal setting, muscle relaxation techniques, electrical therapy if indicated (like TENS). There is strong evidence to suggest that a multidisciplinary health care team is best to assist your pelvic pain in a holistic manner. A Pelvic Physiotherapist can be part of and facilitate a team of health professionals to help you best manage your pelvic pain.

For more information or to book a pelvic health Physiotherapy appointment please contact us on 94486588

Urinary Incontinence

Avoiding a trampoline, jumping, running or sudden movement like the plague? Is stopping to cross your legs before a sneeze starting to annoy you? Not laughing as much?

Urinary incontinence, bladder leakage, light bladder leakage (LBL) is very common. In fact, 1 in 3 women who have every had a baby wet themselves, 1 in 10 males and 1 in 5 children have difficulty with bladder control as well.

The good thing is… there is management for this! You do not have to accept it and just live with it. In fact, doing nothing, can make it worse.

What is urinary incontinence?

Continence is the ability to control your bladder and bowels.

Urinary Incontinence is any accidental loss of wee. There are various types, though the most common types are:

Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI) is loss of wee associated with a sudden urge or busting sensation to wee. This can occur in men, women and children. UUI is more common with increasing age, and symptoms can worsen with stress/anxiety, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and fizzy drinks.  It may also occur because of aging, constipation, particularly in children, an enlarged prostate gland or be a result of long-term poor bladder habits – such as going to the toilet ‘just in case’ or ‘holding on’ for lengthy periods between wees.

 

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the accidental leak of wee when exercising, coughing/ sneezing/laughing due to increasing abdominal pressure and “pushing down” on the bladder. This mostly occurs in women due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, but can affect men who have had prostate surgery, those who lift heavy weights, or have chronic constipation/ strain at the toilet. Chronic coughing, diabetes and obesity has also been linked to SUI.

Did you know that pelvic health Physiotherapist can assist you…

Pelvic floor exercises are the first line of management and prevention for urinary leakage, along with lifestyle factors.

We can offer a comprehensive assessment to help you manage and prevent bladder control concerns. A pelvic health Physiotherapist can be part of your care team, along with help from your GP and possibly, Continence Nurse, Urologist, Gynaecologist/Urogynaecoloigst.  

For more information or to book a pelvic health Physiotherapy appointment please contact us on 94486588

Pelvic Floor Muscles

Where are the pelvic floor muscles?

A small group of hammock like group of muscles extending from your pubic bone at the front to your tailbone at the back.

 

What do they do?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that; support the pelvic organs, help to control your bladder and bowel function, such as when you need to “hold on” and visit the bathroom at an appropriate time, assist sexual function, provide postural support for your lower back and pelvis. It is important for men, women, and children to maintain good pelvic floor coordination and function across the lifespan.

Why they are important?

A weakened pelvic floor can be due to various causes, such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, pelvic surgery, regular straining on the toilet, chronic cough, radiotherapy, heavy lifting and even some athletes can have a weakened overactive pelvic floor.

Overactive pelvic floor (more tense muscles) can also lead to a variety of concerns,  such as pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, urinary leakage with exercise or on the way to the toilet. Difficulty emptying the bladder and bowels can also be a sign of pelvic floor concerns.

Watch this space for our regular posts on pelvic health topics. For more information or to book a pelvic health Physiotherapy appointment please contact us on 94486588

Pelvic Health Physio in Perth

WHAT IS A PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

A Physiotherapist with extra training in all things about the pelvis. Helping the pelvic floor function and pelvic health for children, women and men across the lifespan.

When should I see a pelvic health physiotherapist?

  • Kids experiencing, giggle incontinence, constipation, soiling or bed wetting
  • Childbearing years for pregnancy and postnatal checks or concerns
  • Returning or starting a suitable exercise program
  • Breastfeeding difficulties; mastitis or damaged nipples
  • Post-menopausal years, having or had gynaecological surgery
  • Conservative prolapse management
  • Pre or post prostate surgery
  • Pelvic pain
  • Sexual health or painful intercourse concerns
  • Difficulty emptying your bladder
  • Difficulty emptying your bowel
  • Cheeky overactive bladder, visiting the toilet frequently, feeling urgent or busting
  • Difficulty controlling wee
  • Difficulty controlling wind or stools

What to expect when you see a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?

  • Listen to your concerns
  • Discuss your bladder and bowel habits
  • Assess you with options such as ultrasound or internal examinations
  • We might request that you complete a bladder/bowel diary

Management and treatment may include:

  • Education on healthy bowel and bladder habits
  • Pelvic floor exercises – strengthening OR down training
  • Implementing good toileting habits
  • Advice on techniques and aids to minimise incontinent episodes
  • Exercise advice and functional training
  • Bladder training/calming for overactive bladders
  • Prolapse management, pessary or further medical recommendations
  • Holistic management tools to help manage pelvic pain
  • Therapeutic ultrasound or laser treatment for mastitis/nipple damage

For more information or to book a pelvic health Physiotherapy appointment please contact us on 94486588

Dry Needling in Perth

Dry needling is used by qualified physiotherapists as an adjunct to traditional physiotherapy treatments for a variety of musculoskeletal problems including but not limited to tennis elbow, headaches, calf spasm/ tightness, hamstring strains, jaw pain and back pain. Dry needling is a treatment technique similar to acupuncture, in which a thin filament needle is inserted into the muscle sitting underneath the skin surface. The needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point, which is like a taut band of muscular tissue (similar to a “knot”) that accumulates in areas of mechanical stress. Dry needling is thought to encourage biochemical and mechanical changes, reducing pain and increasing muscle length. Inserting a needle into the trigger point creates a noxious stimulus to the tissue that then reacts by releasing neurochemicals such as endorphins and corticosteroids. The body responds to the chemical change by increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the site, acting like a healing mechanism.